The best of Croatia

From 9/2/2021 From Venice Ship: LE LYRIAL to 9/9/2021 to Venice

Discover the beauty of the Adriatic with PONANT on an exceptional 8-day cruise in Croatia and Monténégro. Aboard Le Lyrial, fall under the spell of the hidden treasures of the Dalmatian coast and its turquoise waters.

Your voyage will begin in Italy with an embarkationVenice in . An opportunity to discover or rediscover the sublime city of the Doges, with its many canals, its vaporetti and its mythical gondolas.

Le Lyrial will then call at Korcula, full of olive groves, vineyards and ancient buildings. An island marked by history, the birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo.

Split will open its doors to you to discover its historic centre,UNESCO a World Heritage Site, with treasures such asDiocletian 's Palace or the Cathedral of Saint Domnius.

You will then head to the aptly named “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by medieval ramparts, its terracotta-tiled roofs, its palaces, cloisters and fountains are bound to impress you and will plunge you into the heart of Croatian history.

After a stop on the magnificent island ofHvar, the last stage of your trip will take you to Rovinj, giving you an opportunity to discover this city with Venetian influences. Moreover, it proudly bears Venice’s symbolic winged lion on the Balbi's Arch, which you’ll be able to admire during a stroll through its picturesque town centre.

As a grand finale, your voyage will draw to an Venice end the in Serenissima and its lagoon. The information in this document is valid as of 9/30/2021 The best of Croatia YOUR STOPOVERS :

VENICE Embarkation 9/2/2021 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM Departure 9/2/2021 at 5:30 PM

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica , Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.

KORCULA Arrival 9/3/2021 early afternoon Departure 9/3/2021 evening

This harbour town has a very special location, presiding on a spur on the north-eastern coast of the island of Korçula. The ramparts in its medieval district provide perfect vantage points over the Pelješac peninsula. To get there, you can take the monumental staircase in theRevelin Tower. Another way is to climb the steps in the shade of palm trees from the MorskaVrata (Marine portal). As you make your way through the little streets, you’ll see the bell-tower of Saint Mark’s cathedral rise above you. This landmark will help you locate thehouse where Marco Polo was born. The island also has some of its own famous wines like the red Plavac and the white Posip.

SIBENIK TO KRKA FALLS (OPTIONAL) Arrival 9/4/2021 early morning Departure 9/4/2021 early morning

When your ship drops anchor across from the Croatian village ofSibenik , in the heart of Central Dalmatia, you will have the possibility of discovering the exceptional Krka Waterfalls. Krka National Park, with its eight waterfalls formed by calcium carbonate deposited by the water as it flows along the Krka river, is one of the most spectacular in Croatia. During an optional excursion, visit this lush natural site boasting an incredibly rich fauna and flora.

SPLIT Arrival 9/4/2021 midday Departure 9/4/2021 evening

On the Dalmatian coast, the town of Split offers cultural visits in a seaside atmosphere. Close to the seafront shaded by palm trees, the historical centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts a unique building:the Diocletian’s Palace. Here you will explore its galleries, courtyards with carved columns, as well as a former mausoleum convertedinto a church, namely Saint Domnius Cathedral. If you get peckish, stop off at a terrace in the Pjaca, the main square in the old town, where you can try a palacinka, a kind of pancake topped with melted cheese.

DUBROVNIK Arrival 9/5/2021 early morning Departure 9/5/2021 late evening

Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now alisted UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as youwalk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.

VIS ISLAND Arrival 9/6/2021 early morning Departure 9/6/2021 midday

An out-of-the-way stopover in the Dalmatian archipelago, Vis island is located off the coast of SplitUNESCO in a geopark archipelago. You will get by boat to Komiža, the second largest town in Vis. This is a pretty port at the bottom of a bay surrounded by green summits. In the harbour basins, falkuša, the traditional fishing boats, sway gently in the breeze.

HVAR Arrival 9/7/2021 early morning Departure 9/8/2021 late afternoon

Off the coast of Split, Hvar will surprise you by its traditions that have not changed since Antiquity. The country’s oldest town, Stari Grad, is here on this Dalmatian Island. The town nestles by a cove on the north-west coast, surrounded by dry stone wall structures on the Stari Grad plains. These have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because they were built in the time of the Ancient Greeks. From these parcels of land come wines and olive oil manufactured manually. In the upper part of town, it is possible to discover hams and cheeses made by local producers.

ROVINJ Arrival 9/8/2021 early morning Departure 9/8/2021 evening

Rovinj is located in Istria, a region bordering Slovenia. This becomes apparent as you walk through its old cobblestoned town. There are many monuments of Venetian influence here. If you study the Balbi arch, you will see the winged lion, symbol of Venice. The bell-tower erected beside Saint Euphemia Cathedral was designed like the bell of Saint Mark in Venice. From the top of the tower, you can scan the entire historical district. To absorb its quaint atmosphere, take a walk in the ochre and sepia-coloured streets leading to bustling squares and terraces shaded by canvas awnings.

VENICE Arrival 9/9/2021 early morning Disembarkation 9/9/2021 at 7:00 AM

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica , Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.